Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain face each other in one of the most exciting qualifying rounds thatThe knockout stages of the Champions League. The team of Ronald Koeman optimistically faces the confrontation with the current finalist of the European Cup (they lost 0-1 to Bayern Munich in August 2020), as it is in an upward trend that can be reflected with the seven consecutive victories what have they achieved in LaLiga Santander.
This round of 16 first leg will be played in the Camp Nou and he will have big absences, since such a loaded schedule leaves very important players injured in both teams. Ansu Fati, Ronald Araújo or Sergi Roberto They will not be able to be in this meeting, so the defensive line is the great team unknown. On a positive note, Gerard Piqué He returns to the squad after several months injured, but it seems unlikely that he will go directly into such a demanding game. At PSG casualties are no less important, since Neymar he was injured in the French League Cup and the most important player of the French team may not be available at least in the first leg.
Another of the most important players in the team, as is the case of the Argentine Say Maria, it will also be low for this match so the Parisian attack will be resentful. The left side will also be low Juan Bernat, who has been away for weeks with a long-term injury, as happens in the Barcelona to the young Ansu Fati.
The Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, very important for him PSG, suffered a hip injury on February 8, but it seems that it will be a question until the last minute. On the other hand, the Costa Rican goalkeeper, Keylor Navas, he also missed the last four games with the Paris saint germain, due to a blow to the ribs before the Montpellier in the Ligue
1 and later for some muscular discomfort. In the French club, however, they anticipate that he will have no problems in returning as he has been able to exercise with the group.
Despite the absences, the Barcelona has grown in 2021, with players that increasingly function as a collective. Frenkie De Jong has had a formidable month of January and has acquired the weight in the team culé that was expected, in addition to a young Pedri (only 18 years old) that this season is one of the revelations of the championship. Leo Messi He has recovered his best form and makes a difference in the day to day of The league, where is it already Barça with 46 points after thrashing last Saturday at Deportivo Alavés 5-1, with “doublets” of the Argentine star and the young Portuguese Trincao, who has scored three goals in the last two games.
The Barça finished your Champions League group What Second classified, behind the Juventus. For his part, PSG ended as first ahead of RB Leipzig and Manchester United, who plays this Thursday lto Europa League against Real Sociedad. At that time, the coach of the Parisians was Tomas Tuchel, who was dismissed (now trains the Chelsea, rival of Athletic in eighths) and now the reins of the French bench are Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine coach has Mbappé and Icardi (who has had muscle problems, but seems to be able to get there) as offensive stilettos, plus a Pablo Sarabia that will have minutes before the absences above. The Barça in his defense is where he has more problems, where surely Lenglet, Mingueza and Umtiti will have prominence.
When do you play Barcelona – PSG?
The game is played today, Tuesday February 16, at 21.00 hours
Where to see Barcelona – PSG?
The encounter can be seen by Movistar Champions League (50), platform dial Movistar Plus. You can follow all the information about the match live on the Mundo Deportivo website.